Stakeholder views (ACVTDGVT)

Policy priorities (DGVT)

Annual progress reports and policy briefs

Riga interim report 2015-17

Riga final report 2015-20

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Workshop 2:

VET for labour market integration and social inclusion

1 July 2020, 10:50 – 12:20

Mary Lyons, Director, SOLAS National Innovation

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Who we are?

SOLAS - The Further Education and Training Authority - is a state

agency in Ireland established on

October 27, 2013

Other functions include planning, coordination,

research and monitoring of further

education and training provision

SOLAS funds the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) and

other bodies engaged in the provision of further education

and training programmes

Policy priorities (DGVT)

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This is FET

Serving around 200,000 unique learners each year - both employed and unemployed

A continuum of learning opportunities from Level 1 to Level 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications

FET by Broad Type of Provision

Policy priorities (DGVT)

Annual progress reports and policy briefs

Riga interim report 2015-17

Riga final report 2015-20

Focus on upskilling and reskilling employees in low skilled work from 2019

Policy priorities (DGVT)

SMEs and other organisations with limited capacity to identify and meet skills development needs of their employees

Employees whose skills level are below Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications, in jobs with a low skill requirement, 50+ years, in sectors/occupations at risk of economic displacement

Industry sectors with particular skills needs, arising from emerging opportunities or as a result of economic vulnerabilities

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Online Certified eTutor supported

eCollege is online 24/7 Learners can study at a time and place that suits them

All courses have eTutor support Monday to Friday

Learners can also use practice labs, practice tests and ebooks to support course learning

All courses result in industry certification from Microsoft to Adobe and many more

Generally equivalent to Level 5 & 6 NFQ qualifications

eCollege is a fully online learning service funded by SOLAS. It provides flexible online learning opportunities aligned to industry recognised certifications, coupled with online tutor support

eCollege offer

Digital Command Suitable for those looking to gain in-depth skills for specific software packages or business skills

Digital Improvement Suitable for those building on basic digital skills

Digital Command Suitable for those looking to gain in-depth skills for specific software packages or business skills

Digital Specialisation Suitable for those looking to gain specialist, professional skills

Acceleration of Innovation in upskilling & reskilling options as a result of Covid-19 emergency

Application process streamlined

Contracts with suppliers renegotiated

Additional funding obtained

Targeted promotional campaign activated

On March 22nd 2020 eCollege opened up free of charge to those affected by Covid-19: • Short-time working • Recently unemployed

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eCollege learners – what is the demand?

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1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

March April May June

Summary of eCollege referrals by origin 24th March 2020 to 28th June 2020

DEASP Fetchcourses ETB STA

eCollege enrollments in 3 months from 24/03/20 to 28/06/20 equals 19,948 (typically 12,000 learners per annum)

Most in demand courses % of Total ECDL - 22% Project Management (Prince2 & PMBOK) - 19% Microsoft Excel (Specialist/Expert) - 15%

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Success Factors

Strategic Plan Make eCollege courses more

widely available

Timing Took immediate action

Targeted To those who could most benefit – highly motivated

Commitment of Resources

Contractors, Team, Board of SOLAS – medium and long term

Learner Feedback Formal and Informal data –

improvements in the emergency access route

Mainstreaming For the longer term

Digital Transformation

What? How?

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Digital Transformation

By leveraging technology we envisage a FET system that is:

Technology will be a key enabler to ensure that #FutureFET meets our current and future learners needs and expectations

Accessible (ease of use) at a time and pace that suits learners

Proactive re. learner needs

Strategically funded to meet the learners needs

Efficiently leveraging technology to support delivery

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